Election Commission sends notice to Sonia

New Delhi, Feb 16: The Election Commission on Friday served a notice to Congress President Sonia Gandhi on a disqualification complaint against her for receiving a Belgian honour.

The Commission has asked Sonia Gandhi to respond within three weeks. The Commission headed by Chief Election Commission N Gopalaswami has also asked the External Affairs Ministry to give details within three weeks about her receiving the 'Order of Leopold' from the Belgium Government. An advocate from Kerala has sought Sonia Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha alleging it amounted to owing allegiance to the Constitution of that country.

Sonia Gandhi was conferred the second highest civilian award in Belgium -- the 'Order of Leopold' -- and an honorary doctorate by the Belgian government during her visit in November 2006. This had triggered a political row.